COMING UP

Aloha Festivals' ribbons on sale

As bargains go, it's hard to beat an Aloha Festivals ribbon. Available now at the Aloha Festivals office at Ward Warehouse for $5, its entertainment value lasts and lasts, with the wearer entitled to discounted or free admission to select Aloha Festivals events statewide, beginning next Friday and running through October.

This year's ribbon theme is "Ke Kahua Lani O Hawai'i -- Hawai'i's Beloved Royal Playgrounds," shining the spotlight on locales worthy of being frequented by ancient Hawaii's alii class for leisure and social gathering.

Aloha Festivals begins at 10 a.m. next Friday with the Royal Court Investiture at Honolulu Hale, followed by an "Aloha Friday Paina" at 11.

Ribbons and programs are also available at 7-Eleven, ABC and Safeway stores. Visit www.alohafestivals.com for other locations.

TICKETS

Redman signs on with Rock the Bells

Rapper/actor Redman has been added to the bill for the Sept. 1 Rock the Bells concert featuring Wu-Tang Clan and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

The concert will be a pared-down version of the show that has been touring the nation, headlined by Rage Against the Machine.

Tickets for the Rage-less Blaisdell Arena show are $35 to $50, on sale at the Blaisdell box office and Ticketmaster outlets. Call (877) 750-4400 or visit ticketmaster.com.

CASTING CALL

Ben Stiller puts out call for actors for new film

Attention, Asian men! Ben Stiller is looking for you.

Stiller will direct and star in "Tropic Thunder," to film partly in Hawaii. He plays an action star forced to rely on boot-camp skills to stay alive when he's forced to become the soldier he's portraying in a big-budget war film. The film co-stars Robert Downey Jr., Owen Wilson and Jack Black.

A casting call has been issued for Asian males of all body types, ages 18 to 80, to play the part of guerrilla soldiers. Jungle scenes will be shot during the last week of August and the first week of September.

Call the casting office in Kapaa, Kauai, at (808) 823-1904 or e-mail thundercasting@gmail.com today to set up a photo shoot next week.